How does smoking affect bones and joints?

Having smoked for more than 20 years, Mr. Nguyen Van Thang ( Hanoi ) suffered from stiff joints, especially when he woke up in the morning. He was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. One of the factors related to the disease was that he had a history of smoking for more than 20 years, smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

According to doctors, smoking is associated with the onset of rheumatoid arthritis, especially in people who have smoked for 20 years or more. Researchers believe that smoking may trigger an abnormal immune system in people who carry genes associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Both environmental and genetic factors play a role in rheumatoid arthritis, with smoking being considered the most important environmental risk factor, and also the one that can be completely prevented.

Smoking also increases the severity of rheumatoid arthritis and reduces the ability of rheumatoid arthritis patients to achieve remission. Smoking also reduces the effectiveness of some rheumatoid arthritis medications and prevents some activities that may help improve symptoms.

Dr. Ngo Tuan Anh, Department of Internal Medicine, Musculoskeletal, Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7 ( Ho Chi Minh City), said that cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, of which 69 are carcinogenic. Smoking damages many organs in the body such as the lungs, cardiovascular system, brain, eyes, digestive system, including the musculoskeletal system.

Nicotine inhibits osteoblasts, reducing bone density and increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Smoking reduces estrogen levels, which are important for building and maintaining strong bones in both men and women. This bad habit also reduces calcium absorption from the diet. Calcium is essential for bone mineralization, and when bone mineral levels are low, smokers are at risk of osteoporosis.

Studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of vascular damage, which deprives bone tissue of oxygen and nutrients, making bones more brittle and more likely to break. Nicotine interferes with the production of bone-building cells and slows bone healing.

Not only traditional cigarettes, but according to Dr. Tuan Anh, e-cigarettes also negatively affect musculoskeletal health. In addition to many harmful effects, e-cigarettes can also increase inflammation and free radicals that the body's antioxidants cannot eliminate. This can damage bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

The harmful effects of tobacco are unpredictable, so to protect bones and joints in particular and health in general, doctors recommend giving up smoking, living a scientific , healthy lifestyle, and exercising regularly.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/y-te/hut-thuoc-la-anh-huong-den-xuong-khop-nhu-the-nao--i786106/